Ulster make major changes for RaboDirect visit of Dragons

Mark Anscombe has reshuffled his Ulster side for Friday evening’s RaboDirect PRO12 game against Newport Gwent Dragons.

There are seven personnel and two positional changes to the team that lost to Saracens in the Heineken Cup for Friday’s 7.05pm kick-off at Ravenhill.

Ireland international winger Tommy Bowe, who won his 100th cap for Ulster when he came off the bench against Saracens, starts his first game for the province since he injured knee ligaments in December.

Peter Nelson is named at full-back instead of Jared Payne, who picked up a slight ankle knock at Twickenham and Stuart Olding replaces Luke Marshall who suffered concussion.

Paddy Jackson is rested for the game, so Ruan Pienaar switches to out-half with Paul Marshall coming in at nine.

Tom Court remains at loose head alongside Rory Best, who will captain the side tomorrow night. Ricky Lutton starts at tighthead.

With Johann Muller out for three weeks with a bicep injury, Iain Henderson is selected in the second-row alongside Dan Tuohy. Robbie Diack therefore comes in at blindside flanker.

Chris Henry is rested for the match, so Mike McComish is selected at openside with Nick Williams named at Number 8.